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Vice Blog

SAN FRANCISCO - NODZZZ PICKS, OLD AND NEW

The Nodzzz LP is one of my personal favorite records of the past few months, packing in ten ridiculously perfect songs in under 15 minutes. It's also well worth checking out their summer smash hit "I Don't Wanna (Smoke Marijuana)," which you can listen to here. While trying to sort out which Nodzzz MP3 it was cool to put up for listening, I ended up exchanging conversation with singer/guitarist Anthony Atlas on Gmail chat, which turned into this interview.

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Vice: So I guess we should start with how the story of how Nodzzz came about?

Anthony Atlas: I grew up in New Jersey with the first Nodzzz drummer, Pete. We were in bands together from sixth grade, onward into high school. I met [guitarist] Sean Paul at college in Olympia. He coached the student club baseball team, which I played on.

So were you in other bands first?

I was in a band called Study Buddies, which oddly and beautifully became Gun Outfit when I moved to Oakland. Sean and I had a weird band called Vacation too and I was in two other sporadic bands called Kamp Willies and Breech Boys.

Kamp Willies?

Yeah, you get the willies when you go to camp. Kamp Willies is what my grandparents got during WW2.

Interesting. What are your top five records that relate to the music you make with Nodzzz?

Cool question, let's see…

The Everly Brothers, A Date With the Everly Brothers

Their harmonies are just amazing.

Bob Dylan, Basement Tapes

It's a big, big, big record for Sean Paul. He knows every word. I love it too, but his heart pumps that record.

Gun Club, Fire of Love

I'm answering that one for Sean and Eric, who seem to love it so much and jam the songs at practice. I dig it OK, but it resonates with their Southern California upbringing.

Felt, Forever Breathes the Lonely Word

I'm becoming obsessed with Felt lately, this is pop mind candy.

The Kinks, Something Else

The Feelies, Crazy Rhythms

That's huge!

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What are the top five recent bands that you are into?

Grass Widow

We share a practice space with them and our drummer helped put out the record on his label. It's the best, dynamic and moving post-punk.

Brilliant Colors

They have two seven-inches. Also share a practice space with us and with Grass Widow. They are the other best band in San Francisco.

Broken Strings

A bizarre limited-edition LP on True Panther of a recording from 2006 by Adam Croce, who now plays in Rainbow Bridge. Entirely felt and genuine bedroom-pop, whatever that is.

Gun Outfit

From Olympia, Washington. They have a 7-inch and a 12-inch on PPM, and each is a unique world and a great record. Brilliant, moving lyrics, interlocked guitars, and a powerful sound.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

He's found a wonderful group of musicians to back his songs lately, and their recent version of his song "Phantashtma" is proof of it. I'm excessively enthusiastic about bands right now. Things are good in music here.

Thanks Anthony! I like enthusiasm.

Nodzzz - "Is She There?"